RAIN again caused the abandonment of most of the week s cricket fixtures. Some teams did not even travel to their opponents grounds with games called off in advance. The Keatley Cup suffered another setback, with Royston s semi-final match against Aspe

RAIN again caused the abandonment of most of the week's cricket fixtures.

Some teams did not even travel to their opponents' grounds with games called off in advance.

The Keatley Cup suffered another setback, with Royston's semi-final match against Aspenden Standon and Puckeridge postponed on Tuesday night.

The weather has had a torrid effect on the competition, which is now a couple of weeks behind schedule.

Royston captain Craig Holson said: "It was a real disappointment, what with our weekend match with March II called off.

"Reed are already in the final so it would be nice to join them.

"To be honest we're champing at the bit to play this semi-final, and it's really frustrating that the match has been delayed.

"It's been a difficult season so far for Royston, but we probably start the game with Aspenden as favourites. We could do with a win to lift the club's spirits, and I'm confident we can reach the final.

"But first we have to get through the semi-final, which won't be easy, but at the moment it's finding a suitable date to reschedule - hopefully it will be some time next week."

"The weather is affecting a lot of teams. We hope it's good this weekend because we need to get back in action. We travel to Foxton for what will be a difficult game. They're second in the table and have some very good players.

"Hopefully we can take something from the game, but with a lot of players missing, and with some inexperienced lads involved, it's not promising!

"At the moment we're bottom of the table and it's the games against those clubs around us that I'm most concerned with.

"If we win those we've got a very good chance of staying up."

In the one match that did survive the weather, Baldock drew against Sandridge in Division 5 of the Saracens Hertfordshire Cricket League.

And it was not just the conditions that looked gloomy, with Baldock stumbling early on, with Sandridge in control at 35-3.

Rob Cant (34) and Tom Dupuy (27) repaired the damage, however, with some fine shots and quickly took the score to 75-3.

Sadly for Baldock, this revival soon faltered against the intelligent bowling of the Sandridge spinner.

The experienced Julian Muir restored some hope, when he and the tail order managed to reach a respectable 148-9 off 51 overs.

Baldock's opening bowlers Logan Newman and Alistair Jones built up some early pressure.

Jones even struck with a fine yorker to dislodge the dangerous Camm, and then Nick Blenkin ran out the other opener to leave the hosts on 22-2.

Sandridge slowly got back into the game, however, as the bowling lost its rhythm.

Dupuy had other ideas though. And before the home side could mount a serious threat, the spinner claimed three quick wickets.

With the game in the balance, the Sandridge lower middle order started to attack, and but for a superb catch in the deep by Muir they might have gone on to win.

But with nine runs needed from the last over, Dupuy took a wicket maiden to leave the game drawn, with Sandridge scoring 141-7 off 45 overs.